Seminar : Knowing Manipur from Endogenous Perspective : Rapporteur Report
- Day 1 -

Homen Thangjam *

Seminar : Knowing Manipur from Endogenous Perspective on October 20-21

RAPPORTEUR REPORT
Day One, Monday, the 20th October, 2014

Lecture cum performance by Lourembam Bedabati and her accomplice

Lourembam Bedabati's presentation on folk songs accompanied by the traditional instrument Pena (played by Ksh. Subhaschandra) was intrepid with short lectures on the significance of folk songs in the tradition of Manipur but how now-a-days it has become a dying art or lore.

The session was Chaired by Prof. S. Mangi Singh, Head, Department of Political Science, Manipur University. He commented that it was not only a magnificent presentation but one that was meaningful and profound. There is urgent need to put in our efforts to preserve the beautiful tradition of Manipur.

FELICITATION FUNCTION CUM PRESENTATION OF PLENARY PAPER

Prof. HNK Sharma, Vice Chancellor, Manipur University, Prof. E. Bijoykumar, Dean, School of Social Sciences and Prof. N. Joykumar Singh, Director, Centre for Manipur Studies, Manipur University, graced the FELICITATION FUNCTION CUM PRESENTATION OF PLENARY PAPER as Chief Guest, Guest of Honour, and President, respectively. The programme started with the release of the books KNOWING MANIPUR FROM THE ENDOGENOUS PERSPECTIVE, Vol. 1 & 2. This was followed by the Presentation of Plenary paper by Dr. Th. Chandramni titled, ORIGIN AND MIGRATION OF THE EARLY AUTHOCTHONS WITH REFERENCE TO MEETEI STATE FORMATION.

In the speech by the Chief Guest, Prof. E. Bijoykumar expressed that Western ways of looking at our society is inadequate to unravel many of the issues faced by the people of the state. Therefore, as we learn today, our own knowledge informed by tradition and culture is the best approach to study our society. He emphasized, as an illustration, that we have tried every known model of development and growth in the Northeast region but nothing seems to have yielded result. Thus, in our quest for economic prosperity Prof. HNK Sharma, Chief Guest of the function, remarked that we have to devise ways to streamline our knowledge in teachable (learnable) academic curriculum.

He was of the opinion that so far efforts to know about Manipur have been in two contradictory ways: one marked by pursuits, which delves into learning about our knowledge through oral literature, folklore and puyas. In this venture, only so called traditional scholars were the torch bearers; and thus, the limitation was complete divorce from modern ways of gathering knowledge. The other pursuit was marked by total devotion to scientific knowledge and reliance modern western approaches without giving any weightage to traditional sources of knowledge. These two worked in divergence. But both suffer from limitations as we have grappled to know today. Therefore, there must be convergence of the two. In this manner only, we can do better justice to our society.

Prof. N. Joykumar Singh, President of the function remarked that the seminar is an alternative way of looking at events, processes and knowledge that has led to the emergence of a politico-legal entity called Manipur. As much as one relies on modern approaches and sources of knowledge, as historian, one must also be aware of the significance of delving in traditional knowledge and sources of history.

In the post lunch technical session, 9(nine) resource persons presented their papers. The session was chaired by Prof. S. Mangi Singh, Prof. & Head, Department of Political Science, Manipur University.

Dr. Ch. Rajketan Singh presented a paper titled, ROLE OF ORAL HISTORY IN BUILDING COMMUNAL HARMONY IN MANIPUR. Dr Chirom gave a vivid picture of how history sourced from oral traditions has been more inclusive than those recorded court histories under the strict censorship of monarchs and royalties of the prevailing times. The paper emphasized the inevitable necessity of keeping alive the oral traditions for the generations to come and also lucidly describes how the history reconstructed from the oral history could be more consistently relied in restructuring the robust relationship between and among the native communities.

Prof. Rajendra Kshetri presented a paper titled ORAL TRADITION AS MATERIAL SOURCE FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH. Prof. Rajendra emphasised that oral tradition is still alive today against the massive onslaught of globalisation and digital revolutionand. He was of the opinion that social scientist all over the world have, of late, started turning to oral tradition as their source of materials for social science research. There is tremendous amount of materials to be obtained from oral tradition in the region. Dr. D.L. Haokip presented a paper on MYTHICAL HISTORY: LHOMI (HALF TIGER- HALF MAN). In this paper Dr. Haokip attempted to explore whether there is any commonness in the 'Lhomi', (Lho=tiger and Mi=man) in Kuki and 'Keibu Kei Oibah' in Meitei folklores, tales.

Dr. R.K. Ranjan presented a paper on NATURAL HERITGE OF MANIPUR. Dr. Ranjan while identifying Natural heritage as comprising of the natural living and non-living components, that is, the biodiversity and geo-diversity, of the world that human being inherit, recognizes the role of native peoples, that has been playing and practicing in using and shaping Manipur's landscapes for at least 2000/3000 years and possibly much longer than what one could assume.

S. Neken & Kh. Gourashyam presented a paper on SHUMANG LILA (COURTYARD PLAY) IN TRIBAL DIALECTS: A CASE STUDY. They gave an exhaustive account of the tribal Shumang Lila which appeared for a short period in the history of Shumang Lila in Manipur which loses its way in the absence of any further encouragement and support. The paper very convincingly exhorts for sharing the tradition of Shumang Lila among the different communities of Manipur for a closer tie among the people of the state.

Dr. P. Milan presented a paper on SOME SOCIAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL IMPLICATIONS OF RAGA-HOUBA (Commencement of RAGA) of Nata-Sankirtana of Manipuri Vaisnavism. Dr. Milan attempted to bring out the social and philosophical implications laden in the concept of Raga-Houba in Nata-Sankirtana of Manipuri Vaisnavism. It concludes by further taking a position that the tremendous enduring potential and resilience of Nata-Sankritana which gives characteristic distinctiveness to Manipuri Vaisnavism is for the reason that its contents, structure and forms are profoundly syncretised with the practices of primeval Meitei religious belief.

Mamta L presented a paper on REMINISCING WOMEN'S COLLECTIVE MOVEMENT OF MANIPUR THROUGH ORAL NARRATIVES. She argued that the reasons and patterns leading to collective Movement can only be done through sitting with our 'Imas' and listening to their stories.

Dr. Shimreingam presented a paper on THE CAVE BORN TRIBES OF MANIPUR AND TANGKHUL LITERATURE. He dwelled on the theory of the cave born tribes and commented on old books of the Tangkhuls that tells that the early Tangkhuls came out of a cave along with Maring, Kabui, Mao, Anal, Chothe, Lamkang, Moyon, Monsang, Tarao, Thangal and Maitei. The paper also traces the origin of Moirang Laiharaoba to the Lungka Tangkhul village. Among others, the paper also shared a poem that tells the story of a Tangkhul beauty who became queen of Manipur and brought Tangkhul-Meitei ties through her.

The last paper presenter of the session was Ms. L. Meena. She presented a paper titled THE EXISTENCE AND ESSENCE OF TRADITIONAL MEDIA IN FORM OF LAI HARAOBA RITUALS OF MANIPUR. She traced the continuity and core of the traditional theatre in Manipur to the Lai Haraoba rituals, she dwelt on the polemics of whether or not ritual performances can in the actual sense of the term be called art of theatre in the modern context.

Remark by the Chair, Prof. S. Mangi Singh, Prof. & Head, Department of Political Science, Manipur University

The second academic session was chaired by Prof. L. Kunjeswori, History Dept., MU. 9(Nine) resource persons presented papers.

Dr. Budha Kamei presented a paper titled LIFE HEREAFTER: THE TRADITIONAL RONGMEIS. He looked into the belief in life-after death among the Rongmeis. He concluded by stating that there is a belief of future life among the traditional Rongmeis.

Dr. Thathang presented a paper titled, TRADITIONAL RELIGIOUS BELIEF AND PRACTICES OF THE VAIPHEI TRIBE. Dr. Thathang proclaims that primitive religion, generally defined as the belief in numerous deities, concerned with human affairs and capable of helping or harming man's interest also holds true to the 'Vaiphei' traditional religion. It concludes that Vaipheis religious attitude was intrinsically temporal or idolatry not in the sense that they worship images of deities, but in the sense that the gods, goddess and spirits to which homage are paid had no ethical attributes.

Dr. L. Joyprakash presented a paper titled TRADITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE AND JUDICIAL SYSTEM IN MANIPUR. He argued that Manipur having the semblance of an evolved civilization had administrative and judicial sytem to bring about law and order in the society. But this system died away after Manipur became a colony of the British and ultimately after Manipur was annexed by India in 1949.

Dr. Syed Ahmed presented a paper titled RELIGION AND RELIGIOSITY OF THE PANGALS IN MANIPUR. He argued that the Muslims in Manipur locally known as Pangals subscribe to all the indispensable requirements of their faith while simultaneously imbibing and practising certain customs and beliefs, which are region specific so as to furnish their survival and practical needs.

DR. H. NILKANT presented a paper titled PRE MODERN STATECRAFT IN MANIPUR. He argued that state's involvement in rice cultivation is one of the effective stratagems of statecraft in primary Meitei state.

Dr. H. Sudhir and & S Kamminlun Vaiphei presented a paper titled TRADITIONAL JUDICIARY SYSTEM OF THE VAIPHEIS. The paper traces the the genealogy of the Vaiphei people in Manipur. It is claimed that in the traditional Vaiphei society there are different ways to settle various issues relating to conflicts between parties. The judicial system is mainly executed by the village chief along with its functionaries and the priest according to the cases brought forward. Also depending on the issue Clan elders were called upon to settle matters of the conflicting group. The Vaiphei people did not have a uniform single institution or office but rather they depend on their cudtomary laws and ways to settle their disputes.

Dr. Priyadarshni M Gangte presented a paper titled HAUSA: THE ENLIVEN FOUNTAIN- HEAD OF THE GANGTES: AN ANALYSIS. She focuses around the setting up of socio-economic and political life of Gangtes in the better known "Hausa" the chieftainship which every Chin-Kuki-Mizo and Zomi groups' practized which is also a unique of identity of the Gangtes.

Chungmeijai Mathew presented a paper titled TRADITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE AND JUDICIAL SYSTEM OF THE RONGMEI. He apprises the traditional administrative and judicial system of the Rongmei, by crucially taking into account the ways and procedures involved in founding a new village, selection of Nampou (founder) functionaries of the village, the village council (Pei) and the respective power and function delegated to administer the village.

Dr. Reena Sanasam & Thounaojam Caesar presented a paper titled MEITEI LAIHARAOBA: THE UNIVERSALITY OF BELIEF IN GOD. In this paper the authors traces the origin and development of LAIHARAOBA. It is emphasized here that Meiteis believe in the universal existence of God and more particularly that Lai Haraoba is not only the celebration of the merry making of the Gods but the significance lies in enthusing to the people existence of God is a universal principle.

Remark by the Chair, Prof. L. Kunjeswori, History Department, Manipur Universit, Canchipur

Prof. L. Kunjeswori, remarked that the presentations were of very high quality and deep academic caliber. Dr. Nilkanta's paer confined in four areas: war, wet rice cultivation, waterways and religion. War was a way of conquering as well as making of nation. Wet rice cultivation was controlled by the rulers and Manipur had self sufficient production of rice. Distribution was marked by egalitarianism. In the olden days, waterways provided transportation of goods and people. And finally, religion was used by the ruler as an instrument of control and administration of the people.

According to Dr. Syed Ahmed, the term Pangal, which is a corrupted version of Bengal is a more appropriate term than Muslim in Manipur. The pangals arrived from Bengal in the 16th century AD. At present there are around two lakh pangals in Manipur. They imbibed the Meiteis ways of lives but in recent times, many Pangals have started to venture out of Manipur to learn Quran and other Islamic ways of learning.

Joyprakash explained in detail the traditional way of administrative and defence system in Manipur. The paper focused on justice delivery system for specific sections of the society such as women, lois, war prisoners, etc and how specific institutions played their roles in maintain law and order in the ancient kingdom.